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PHILADELPHIA – Malcolm Jenkins saw that the Eagles were looking for a safety with versatility, and he said that's when he's at his best.

Jenkins, a 2009 first-round pick of the New Orleans Saints (14th overall), said the Eagles' defensive scheme gives him that freedom to cover receivers deep down the field, help out near the line of scrimmage, and blitz.

That was a position of weakness for the Eagles last season, and something they set out to address during free agency, which started Tuesday. Jenkins agreed to a three-year deal worth as much as $16.25 million with $8.5 million guaranteed on Tuesday.

The Eagles also addressed needs on special teams Wednesday, signing safety Chris Maragos from the Seattle Seahawks and linebacker Bryan Braman from the Houston Texans. Both are considered special teams players.

Safety Malcolm Jenkins and punter Donnie Jones talk about their new contracts with the Eagles.

"I'm a football junkie," Jenkins said Wednesday night after signing his contract. "I can be the quarterback of the defense. … When I have the freedom to move around and not be stagnant, that's when I have my best years. I'm not your typical safety. I'm more of that hybrid that the league is moving to with the bigger tight ends, the faster tight ends.

"You need guys who can be versatile."

Perhaps that's why the Eagles went after Jenkins rather than safeties Jairus Byrd, who's better in coverage deep, and T.J. Ward, who's better near the line of scrimmage.

Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis wants his safeties to do both, and maybe Byrd could have. But Byrd signed a six-year deal reportedly with $28 million guaranteed from the Saints to replace Jenkins. Ward got four years and reportedly $14 million guaranteed from Denver.

"It doesn't in any way hurt my confidence or put any doubt in my belief," Jenkins said about his deal compared to Byrd's. "I'm really excited about being here. I think this is what I needed right now. … I'm looking forward to a fresh start in Philly."

Jenkins has been criticized for his tackling, which he said was due in part to playing free safety almost exclusively in 2011 and '12. In 2010, he was second-team All-Pro before playing both roles last season. The website Pro Football Focus credited Jenkins with 45 missed tackles over the past three seasons, more than any other safety.

"Those few years at free safety and playing in the post, being there all day makes me uncomfortable, and that's not where I'm best suited," Jenkins said. "I can't blame that and say that's why I missed tackles. But the years I was put in the position to make plays, I made them."

The Eagles are hoping the same applies to Braman and Maragos.

Braman, 6-foot-5, 241 pounds, signed a two-year contract, reportedly worth $3.15 million with $1 million guaranteed, while Maragos signed a three-year deal reportedly worth $4 million with $1 million guaranteed.

"You don't find many players of Bryan's size with the ability to run down the field and make plays on special teams," Eagles head coach Chip Kelly said in a statement. "It's an area of the game that we always have our eye on and look to improve."

Braman was signed by the Texans in 2011 as an undrafted free agent out of West Texas A&M. In 2012, Braman led the Texans with 16 special teams tackles and set a franchise record with two blocked punts, returning one for a touchdown.

Maragos was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Wisconsin in 2010. He played three games that season before going to Seattle in 2011, where he spent the last three seasons.

The signings could mean that safeties/special teamers Kurt Coleman and Colt Anderson won't be returning. Both are free agents.